Control Room Operator; CRO

The Lockport Cogeneration Facility in Lockport, NY, is a 198 MW combined heat and power facility featuring three GE Frame 6B combustion turbines, three heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs), and a steam turbine generator. Operating year-round, the facility reliably supplies electricity and up to 315,800 pounds per hour of process steam to the host facility.

The Control Room Operator (CRO) monitors and controls the Lockport Cogeneration Facility to support safe, reliable, and efficient generation of electricity and process steam. This position operates GE Frame 6B combustion turbines, HRSGs, the steam turbine generator, and associated balance-of-plant systems; responds to alarms and abnormal conditions; and performs plant startups and shutdowns. The CRO coordinates plant operations to meet generation and process steam requirements while maintaining established safety, environmental, and operating limits.

• Follow all safety, operational, environmental, and regulatory requirements, including NAES compliance programs and required documentation.
• Maintain secure access to DCS/SCADA and other control systems, safeguard operational controls and data, and report cybersecurity or system integrity concerns.
• Start up, operate, monitor, and shut down GE Frame 6B combustion turbines, HRSGs, the steam turbine generator, and associated auxiliary and balance-of-plant systems.
• Monitor plant equipment and processes, respond to alarms and abnormal conditions, and take corrective action to maintain safe and reliable operations.
• Control electrical generation and steam production to meet operating requirements and process steam commitments to the host facility while optimizing plant performance within established limits.
• Respond to emergency and abnormal conditions in accordance with established procedures to protect personnel, equipment, and plant operations.
• Coordinate generation requirements and operating conditions with plant personnel, grid or dispatch personnel, and the host facility as required.
• Maintain accurate operating logs and records for generation, steam production, fuel consumption, emissions, equipment status, and plant performance.
• Conduct effective shift handovers, communicating plant status, equipment issues, process steam requirements, and ongoing operational and maintenance activities.
• Troubleshoot equipment and process abnormalities and support corrective and preventive maintenance, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), and equipment testing.
• Analyze operating trends and performance data to identify abnormal conditions and opportunities to improve efficiency, reliability, and plant performance.
• Support operator training and cross-training and participate in planned outages, maintenance activities, testing, and system upgrades with plant personnel, contractors, and OEM representatives.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support safe, efficient, and reliable facility operations.

Safety is a core value at NAES, and as a condition of employment, all employees are expected to remain mentally alert and work safely at all times. Employees must also adhere to all safety warnings and posted signs while on company property. Additionally, they are required to follow all NAES safety rules and procedures. Adherence to these safety responsibilities is one of the key factors in the evaluation of each employee’s performance.

The Control Room Operator reports to the O&M Manager, with general direction from the General Manager, and works closely with plant personnel to support the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the facility and its equipment.